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While there seems little prospect of talented Chelsea youngster Tammy Abraham returning to BS3 next season, City will have a far better chance of turning short-term loans for Dave Cotterill, Fabian Giefer and Adam Matthews into permanent deals should they wish to do so.

But the burning question is, which if these has done enough to warrant being offered long-term contracts at the end of this season?

Here we take a look at how the trio have performed so far this season and assess the prospects of them returning next season.

ADAM MATTHEWS

Right back Adam Matthews has joined Bristol City on loan from Sunderland

Deemed surplus to requirements at Premier League Sunderland, the Wales international joined the Robins on a season-long deal in July last year.

At the time of his move south, hopes were high that he would be able to reproduce the excellent form he demonstrated during a previous loan spell in March and April of 2016.

But the 25-year-old right-back experienced problems straight away as a disrupted pre-season caught up with him.

Short of match fitness, he injured a hamstring 20 minutes into the 1-0 home defeat to Newcastle in August and spent the next two months recovering. Although he has been in and out of the team since then, he has shown few signs of being able to recapture his form of last season.

Troubled by persistent hamstring issues, Matthews has been a major disappointment.

The mistake that gifted Fulham their second gal in a 2-0 win at Ashton Gate in February proved the final straw for head coach Lee Johnson, who has omitted the Welshman from his match-day squad ever since then.

Matthews has done nowhere near enough to warrant the offer of a permanent deal and, as things stand, he will be heading back to Sunderland at the end of this season.

FABIAN GIEFER

Bristol City's new signing Fabian Giefer poses with a shirt on his arrival at the club (Image: Robbie Stephenson/JMP)

Desperate to escape Schalke 04 and play regular first team football, the 6ft 4in goalkeeper left the Bundesliga in January in an attempt to re-launch his career in England.

Although the German himself refused to be drawn on whether his loan deal might transpire to become something altogether more permanent, there was widespread speculation in the media that he was regarded by Robins boss Lee Johnson as a potential long-term proposition.

Replacing Frank Fielding between the posts, he certainly looked the part to begin with, featuring in wins over Rotherham United and Fleetwood Town.

But a number of unforced errors subsequently betrayed flaws in is decision-making and when Giefer suffered an eye injury, Fielding seized his opportunity and has been a first-choice selection ever since.

The jury is still out among City fans and, unless Giefer can force his way back into the starting line-up between now and the end of the season, he could be destined for a quick return to Germany.

DAVE COTTERILL

David Cotterill of Bristol City looks on (Image: Rogan Thomson/JMP)

A product of City’s youth Academy system in the previous decade, Cotterill returned to Ashton Gate in January following an absence of nearly ten years.

Told by Birmingham City boss Gianfranco Zola to find himself another club on deadline day, the Wales international quickly set-up a switch to the Robins on January 31, joining on loan until the end of the season.

With contract talks having stalled at Birmingham and his future at St Andrews appearing uncertain to say the least, the experienced winger could be available for transfer in the summer.

And based on all the available evidence, it will be a major surprise if head coach Lee Johnson and chief operating officer Mark Ashton do not push out the boat to secure his services on a permanent basis.

Cotterill’s performances have been pretty consistent since he returned to BS3 and he has already weighed in with goals in games against Newcastle United and Huddersfield Town.

But it is as a creator of chances for others that he is most revered and his ability to produce high-quality set-piece delivery is very much appreciated by his team-mates. Popular with City fans, he will almost certainly be targeted by the Robins this summer.